Davey Johnson preached consistency all week in Pittsburgh, so why change now? Fresh off a much-needed, 4-2 win over the Pirates, the Nationals manager is sending the exact same lineup out to face the Reds tonight in their series opener in Cincinnati (except for a swap of catchers, with Wilson Ramos back behind the plate).

The Nats' stagnant bats finally exploded last night, with Roger Bernadina, Adam LaRoche and Rick Ankiel all connecting for home runs. And now that they get to spend the weekend in the much-cozier Great American Ball Park, don't be surprised if you see some more power displays. This wouldn't be a bad place for Bryce Harper to club his first career homer.

It also wouldn't be a bad place for Gio Gonzalez to launch the first longball of his career. Call me crazy, but I could see the gregarious left-hander doing it tonight. He's been showing off some serious skills with the bat lately, and something tells me he might just be swinging for the fences when he steps to the plate against Mike Leake.

I'm not in Cincinnati for the series this weekend, going to spend some quality time with the family back here in D.C. But please continue and enjoy the conversation as always…

(Hi Davey! ;-))From last threadSection 222 said… There's a big difference btw leaving a starter in after a bad first inning and leaving a reliever in with the game on the line when it's clear he doesn't have his good stuff or has thrown two wild pitches already.Pittsburgh left Harnahan in after three or four pitches *hit the backstop*, and after he hit a batter! Was that also dumb?Last night, Strasburg walked three in a row, including the last one *on four pitches*. Was leaving him in dumb?Look — a pitcher is going to have to learn how to get out of an inning when he doesn't have his best stuff. That's how you really learn how to _pitch_ rather than throw.You can call it dumb, but I tend to think Davey knows what he's doing with HRod. As I've said all year (and, btw, nice to hear from all the HRod lovers today, but where were you all the other night?! I was feeling lonely defending him!) — HRod has the potential to be one of the _greats_. When his slider is on, he is completely unhittable. (And, no matter how awesome it looks on TV, it looks even more awesome in person). There's a reason he pitched seven straight innings of no-hit ball over seven games . . . when he's on, he's the best. He just has to learn how to do it when he's not on. He'll learn. And we'll get frustrated . . . but Davey is building a team he can depend on (or, conversely, figuring out which guys he can't depend on) for a September wildcard race that we're going to have to do without Strasburg.And if you think that's dumb, well, like I said in the last thread: that's how Davey rolls. Get used to it, or else double up on your bourbon and maalox, cuz it's going to keep happening.

but Davey is building a team he can depend on (or, conversely, figuring out which guys he can't depend on) for a September wildcard race that we're going to have to do without Strasburg.Concise and perfectly stated! And stop bellyaching about Espinosa … he is still under construction … developing. Let Davey and Player Development do their jobs. As Michelle pointed out Davey is damned good at … and with a decade or so tacked on may be ever better. Rizzo is great at it. See DiamondBacks, AZ. These aren't favored AAAA "veterans"at the end of their careers that Riggleman wanted to take care of and keep playing. These are bonafide top prospects under development. Davey loves that aspect of his job which makes him a perfect match for this team.

You know, even from the beginning, when we all thought he'd be a disaster with the bat, I liked Gonzalez's swing. Level, even, not trying to do too much. I guess he's coordinated enough to make solid contact, and at major-league speeds, the ball carries.That is to say, I think he's making the most of what he's got.

I guess he's coordinated enough to make solid contact, and at major-league speeds, the ball carries.I guess Gio's personality gets him a lot more press … go figure. But has anyone noticed that Strasburg already has 3 doubles? And Edwin Jackson has a .250 BA? And they're not even as good at hitting as Zimmermann! The whole staff can help themselves from that nine hole … albeit Detwiler looks the weakest.

(raises hand) I've stuck up for him, too. However, my commenting tends to be either before or after games (if I'm still awake in the latter case) rather than during. Just think of it as a character-building exercise in situations where you are the lone voice for a position. 😉As I've said all year (and, btw, nice to hear from all the HRod lovers today, but where were you all the other night?! I was feeling lonely defending him!)

You can tell the kind of season we are having when four runs is "stagnant bats finally exploding". Although, if you look at our games, most of the time four runs would easily win a game. Strassie and Gio both really swinging the bat, EJax can hit, I think JZim can also, and Det makes contact. I love it!!!

I've always been an HRod fan. He makes sense. Not sure he will ever be a bonafide closer but Davey (and thus Rizzo) seem to have a lot of faith in him in that role. It'll be interesting to see what they decide to do when Storen returns.

H-Rod is Brad Lidge circa 2003… too many walks, too many wild pitches… but the ceiling to be absolutely dominant at the end of a ball game…More like a Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson … Ryan started out as a closer for the Mets. Some manage to gain consistency by learning from their mistakes gaining baseball wisdom from good coaching. Others don't listen and fall by the wayside … (Mock, Garret and a host of others). Henry is still developing, just like Espinosa. It takes time. But that's part and parcel of building a perennially successful and completive major league baseball team. They are doing all the right things. And remember? YOU ALL CALLED me the negative anon! Right 1A? There's a difference between understanding baseball and not IMO. Right now no one should be complaining. Look at the record! In spite of the injuries and the painful development cycles they are WINNING! And learning. And they aren't panicking and bringing in washed up AAAA geezers to rescue them when they hit snags in the road.I NOW OFFICIALLY LABEL ALL OF YOU WHINERS the aggravating, diatribe inducing NEG-ANON's.

Pittsburgh left Harnahan in after three or four pitches *hit the backstop*, and after he hit a batter! Was that also dumb? Sorry to repeat myself, but Hanrahan has an entire season of All-Star quality closing work behind him. He's figured it out. He has proven he deserves a longer rope than H-Rod. And, of course, Hurdle did remove Hanrahan the night after he blew the save but before the Nats could open up a bigger lead. Was Hurdle wrong to do that? H-Rod has closed what, 12 games at this point? He could be Mariano Rivera (or Joel Hanrahan), but he isn't yet.Last night, Strasburg walked three in a row, including the last one *on four pitches*. Was leaving him in dumb? You aren't seriously comparing H-Rod to Strasburg, are you? In any event, I wasn't watching the game at the time so I don't know quite how wild Strasburg had become, but I'm willing to go along with Davey's judgment that he had a better chance of getting out of that jam than any reliever we have. Can you make the same claim about H-Rod the previous night, with the tying run on 3rd and everyone in park knowing he had to throw a fastball? I don't think Davey left Strasburg in to get the experience of working out of a jam. He was trying to win the game, which is what I think he should have done the night before, and in LA, with H-Rod.When he's on, he's the best. He just has to learn how to do it when he's not on.Believe me, I'm with you on the merits of H-Rod. He can be unhittable when he's on. Where you and I disagree is your second statement — that he has to "learn how to do it when he's not on." That's what you have the rest of the bullpen for. Under your theory, no pitcher would ever be pulled except for pitch count reasons. If somebody doesn't have it, you'd say leave him in and the consequenced be damned because he has to learn how to get through adversity and getting shelled with pay off later in the year. That's a ticket to a losing season.I'm not suggesting that H-Rod should be pulled at the first sign of trouble. Only that someone be ready to replace him so he can be pulled before he loses the game if it's clear he's not on. Nothing that happened last night has changed my view. Wins now are just as valuable as wins in September.

whoa, whoa, whoa. Why you gotta bring 1a into your little hissy fit?Ummm where did that come from? Most of us are not complaining (least of all 1A).She complained a lot about NEG-ANONS … so where IS SHE NOW with these "named" NEG-ANONS! Far more egregious IMO because they are trampling on a talent who could be a potential superstar and replacing him with Lombardozzi? Lombo's a good player and Davey put him in the perfect role and a HUGE team need. The noveaux NEG-ANONS constantly complain about Espinosa. Or its Gorzo, they wan to trade or DFA Gorzo. Or its HRod. Well? How-za-about preaching at them!

I was watching the game. Strasburg, very very suddenly, got tired and lost the strike zone, and walked three in a row to load the bases. It happened too fast to get anyone up in the bullpen. Davey said afterwards he was expecting/hoping Stras could go seven innings (this was the 6th). Maybe after the second walk Davey and McCatty could have stalled and gotten someone ready, but in the end, he hoped that Stras could reach back and get the last batter (helped by the last batter swinging on the first pitch).

Maybe after the second walk Davey and McCatty could have stalled and gotten someone ready, but in the end, he hoped that Stras could reach back and get the last batter (helped by the last batter swinging on the first pitch).The point here? Stras isn't a starter who has been to 4 or 5 all star games and pitched in a couple of world series. He is still developing … even after this season he will have yet to have pitched a season in it's entirely! He is going to get shutdown or have Scoot Boras call Rizzo on the carpet. But Mike Rizzo will do the right thing by his pitcher. Stop behaving as if Stras or Henry are Sandy Koufax or Mariano Rivera. They are still developing and its all good. You learn by making mistakes.

Just an observation, but didn't Gascanarahan pitch that way for the Nats everytime he got up in relief?He was significantly worse. And they kept trotting him out for the same reason. He was a huge young talent with a high ceiling. Rizzo just came to the conclusion that he needed a change of scenery and he was right.

Peric, when poster's were anon's Or NegAnon's you never knew who was posting. Was it multiple people? Or was it one? Sometimes by the comments you could tell it was multiple people, sometimes you couldn't. Plus sometimes when the Neg's took over, it would overwhelm any other conversation. I think now that everyone is named, you get an idea of where some of the commentators are coming from based on history. Some people like stats, some like to point out plays, positions, etc, some are critical, others cheer. I don't think anyone bemoans an opinion, just when it gets into name calling or other inappropriate comments.

I don't know why I'm even bothering to respond or to defend myself, because I usually just ignore it when Peric rants at me. That said, I've been supportive of Henry. I was not the one who posted the Lidge comparison. However, that comment did bring to mind a t-shirt I'd seen that referenced Lidge. I'd been meaning to mention the t-shirt, but didn't remember it until now. Back to "ignore" mode now. Have a lovely evening. 😉

I turned on the Mid-Atlantic Snooze Fest to see the GIo interview. He is just hilarious! He and EJax are great friends and apparently make up words. Their word today is "swagoo" — it's when you have so much swagger it just drips off you! I just don't remember the pitching staff, JZim, Stras or Det smiling so much before. I think he really keeps them loose. Sounds like they all get along well. That can only be a good thing for the team. I certainly hope the position players can find some competition or chemistry and get going.

I NOW OFFICIALLY LABEL ALL OF YOU WHINERS the aggravating, diatribe inducing NEG-ANON's.All?! Excuse me . . . check my past posts, bud.(You know, you make some great points . . . but sometimes you unnecessarily go too far, which then undermines what you're saying <– not a whine, just an observation 😉 ).

Davey Johnson is a very stubborn man, especially when it comes to Espinosa. H-Rod… And his results are stubborn, too. Stubbornly, consistently, terrific. Doesn't he have approximately the second highest winning PCT of all current major league managers?

Gonat May 11, 2012 11:40 AMNatsLady, agree at the leadoff but then Desi changes in the later innings to seeing more pitches.My feeling is, he is a .167 hitter to leadoff the game so its not working in the 1st inning, clearly. Sit him down and say you are doing great in every inning but the 1st. You have to lay off the first pitch for a while and I want you to get to more hitters counts in the 1st inning like a 2-1 or 3-1 then PARTY.Can they change his mindset? Yes, Davey did it last year. Did you send this to Davey? It's exactly as you wrote it. Took the 1st pitch, worked the count to 2-1 and the PARTIED!!!!

No, she never did. You're totally living in your own private alternate universe blog sometimes, I swear. It's gotten better since the switch, but honestlyHonestly, YES SHE DID on multiple occasions. Sec3a that's kind of like saying everyone thought Morse was great player and no one believed he was a AAAA? Right. You guys come to her defense her because she's a woman. And NatsJack? If anyone is guilty of inflating his ego its you old dude.Everyone of your comments are mostly about that … talk about the kettle calling the pot black. But it is fun to poke at you … I admit.

Peric, if you will notice, the Espi comments are about the Bat, never the glove. (And I have the Jersey and wore it last night)Given how good HIS with the glove a lot of teams would put him in the lineup at short or second and not worry about his BA. He's that good. But everyone (including Danny unfortunately, you can see that) expects a lot more. Yep, he could be a super star no doubt. How about letting the experts develop him and see how far they can get before you jump in with "your expertise". Sheesh!

Peric, I tried to reason with you and be polite, but that is ENOUGH. WE are coming to her defense because 1A happens to be a lively commentator who has added humor over the last several years, even when we have had NOTHING to cheer about. Your feud with NatsJack is petty and Childish. STOP, it is very unbecoming of you. And Yes, when you are not snipping at people, you do have good comments and add to the conversation, but tonight you are being rude and petty.

And Peric,I NEVER claimed expertise about Danny or anyone else. I simply stated stated the comments have been about the bat not the glove.And to the rest of you..I know trying to reason or fight with Peric is pointless so I am done.

ENOUGH. WE are coming to her defense because 1A happens to be a lively commentatorSure when you say THE SAME to NatJack the sycophant. And Michelle I've been here A LOT longer than you. YES Natsfan1A HAS NOT always so congenial or must I dredge up her comments to prove that?

Just read your comment MicheleS. I stopped acknowledging perics comments some time ago and only respond to knowledgeable posters who mention peric in there posts.Thanks but neither I nor 1a need any support when it comes to him or her whoever they are.

These guys are a team that are playing without a full lineup from day one. They are a team that nobody is going to take for granted. They are a team that is going to kick ass when healthy. You lucky folks in Washington are seeing the Braves redux.Great to win the East but sucks when you don't win it all. Hello Braves and Phillies.

Does anyone else feel that Gio is pitching un-like himself tonight? Something just seems off. I know that sounds stupid with him striking out the universe. It would actually be better for him at this point if they would make some early contact. Where is the big 12 to six?

I think we are going to find out later that something ( hopefully minor) is wrong – like a blister or something. He couldn't swing the bat and he has thrown only fast balls. Now that they have seen it so much – they are going to tatoo it. They are on to him. 7 runs is not a lot in this teeny tiny park. I was at the game in natspark last year where we were 8 runs up on Chicago – I am scarred for life – enough said.

As usual, I'm with NatsJack and MicheleS, swami. Gio is going to be life and death to get five in before we turn it over to Gorzo. He's thrown a ton of pitches to get 4.1 innings in the bank. Somebody tell Carp that basically means 13 outs. More or less.

Can these guys ever have an easy time? I have now switched from downstairs tv to upstairs tv to the radio and none of it is working. OK, big out with the bases loaded. Get one more out please. Sofa – you nailed it at 8:57. natsfan1a can take care of herself but she does have the support of a lot of people here, the other guy, has the support of his own ego. Surprised he still posts here since he has no use for Mark or most of us.

SJM308-They mentioned tonight on the telecast that Harper was a "guess hitter". He has way too much talent to rely upon guessing up there. I hope they are working on that because he is going to have trouble trying to outsmart major league pitchers.

Woooo Hooo!!!!(copyright MicheleS, 2011)Thanks to Fear and Natsjack for the confirmation. I agree with Fear that I am hoping someone is working with him. This might sound stupid but I am guessing that Jason Werth would have been that person and I hope he gets back to the dugout soon.First place for another day – last I checked, the Braves were ahead and so were the Mets. How great is a baseball season where there are so many peaks and valleys.

they made abig deal of zim catching the popup but it was an infield fly..the batter was outThe ball is still live, and runners can advance at their risk. Popups like that have a lot of spin, and especially on a fast infield, they can take odd hops. That said, no, it wasn't a tough catch. Funny watching Mattheus looking for help, though.

Section 3, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said… The ball is still live, and runners can advance at their risk. the batter WAS out, yes? Zim drops it the runners don't go anywhere…or it's gonna be a double play..

What in the world happened to Harper's face? I turn on the game, and he has apparently been playing hockey?!Peric, I will just say I am severely disappointed I you. You had a string of very good, well-contructed posts arguing your points over the past couple of days. Then tonight, you turned into the bastard son of Rob Dibble and Charlie Sheen. You made claims that were counter to the facts, and used those falsehoods to make personal attacks. Keep it up and the impact is that a lot of people here will start scrolling past ALL of your posts. You will become invisible here. That would be a shame because you actually can be an excellent contributor when you stick to the facts, instead of trying to stick it to everyone else.

Totally off topic. I realize we have 4 more months but right now, the top 3 spots for the wild card in both leagues are occupied but teams from the AL and NL East. I guess my point is that both divisions are very very strong and they will continue to beat each other up during the season.

Sunshine is correct about Davey managing the bullpen. We have J Zimmnn tomorrow with Gorzo in place of Stammen and Clip and HRod available and fresh. Hope we don't need all that but it's nice to have that kind of talent ready.

MicheleS said… was a little suprised the team forfeited. You can't compete against girls on the field? What century are we living in? when was the bible written? it's absurd people follow that thing…a bunch of fiction people use as a ctutchgood for the little girl for wanting to play..i saw a interview with the little girl bit nothing from the young players who had to forfeit…wonder how they feel?

I think maybe this is a good time for Bryce to watch a few games anyway. He is "pressing". Nice win, but not a typical nats game. Early runs – I still think something is up with Gio, seems like bases were loaded a few times. It felt closer than the final score looks.

Twitter report says TEN stitches! That is no small little cut. He should probably be checked for a concussion. I know big-leaguers throw things all the times, but this just feels teenager-ish. Oh, Bryce.

I noticed something while at the game last Saturday when Gio pitched. In his second at-bat, he seemed to pull a leg muscle while running to first. He stayed in the game. I didn't think much of it until tonight. He clearly was not 100 percent. I just hope whatever is wrong doesn't affect his arm.

I think he wears the brace when hitting because his pitching arm is exposed. Normally LH pitchers are not encouraged to bat RH for that reason, but some do (including Gio). I posted the question to Amanda on Twitter.

Swami – not sure if its the same brace but the one I saw tonight was your typical armor that lots of hitters use now days. It was up around his forearm and covering his elbow. Makes sense since its his throwing arm that does the leading when he swings.

The brace/wrap/cast-type thing that I saw Gio wearing in the players' parking lot after Sunday night's game was on his right hand/wrist. I am guessing they are keeping this quiet for a reason. Hopefully just a sprained wrist or something that made it painful to swing the bat. Might have done it on that awkward slide on Sat. He didn't have it on at all tonight, so can't be too serious.

The LaRoche situation gets more intriguing by the day. For many moons I assumed the Nats would deal him at the break and move Morse back to first, leaving Harper and Werth on the corners and opening cf for Speedy McLeadoff.Now LaRoche could well be on the move at the break –to the All Star Game.I'm intrigued about keeping LaRoche and Morse for 2013, but it raises the age-old question. Who leads off?

Davey Johnson has reserved first base for laRoche, Marrero, or Moore … and now he has to be intrigued by Matt Skole as many of us are. And that's why he was adamant about Morse in left field.So … are we going to start bellyaching and whining about all the strikeouts and the low batting average Harper has? Ignoring his ratio of extra base hits to total hits? STOP blaming Espinosa. STOP blaming Gorzelanny. STOP blaming HRod. They are now consistent winners. Using most in house developed prospects with a small mix of free agents. They lose Werth and now Bernadina is showing he has talent. Let the Player Development folks starting with Davey Johnson do their jobs STOP trying to convince us that we need players at the end of their careers who are geezing because I will call you on it and make you look like a fool.

Then tonight, you turned into the bastard son of Rob Dibble and Charlie Sheen. You made claims that were counter to the facts, and used those falsehoods to make personal attacks. Ignoring the fact I am likely the reason Dibble turned a gun to his head by threatening fans. Yeah it was me. Believe me. I'd be happy to meet Dibble in a dark alley and show he and his tattoos what it means to be "tough". Hear that Dibble? That BS he spewed about Strasburg and any prospect is just plain f%cked. As Rizzo said "fake tough". C'mon Dibble I haven't got any tattoos and I'm in your neighborhood from time-to-time. Let's find out how you fare against someone from some of the nastiest neighborhoods of Syracuse. And he was in favor of beaning 19 year old Harper? Someone needs to crush Dibble like the pathetic flea he is. He'd chicken out I guarantee you … heck Rizzo could take him with one hand tied behind his back. Again, I have been here for YEARS! You haven't so you don't really know what transpired before now do you? They aren't lies because if there's one thing I am its honest. And I can prove it.

Nats lady, that Craig Calcaterra guy on MSNBC is a riot. Love reading his stuff for the comedic aspect (and his insights and repoorting). Glad Nick J is alive and (still) well, even if it is in Baltimore.BamBam did his best (and last I hope) Amar'e Stoudamire imitation. He can't stay out of the headlines!

Scott From Burke said…"when was the bible written? it's absurd people follow that thing…a bunch of fiction people use as a ctutch"Look Scott, I get it. You're an athiest. But this is a blog about baseball, not religion. I don't even get what point you're trying to make with that idiotic statement but you've just offended half the people reading this blog, including me. I'm really beginning to wonder if you and peric are the same person. Get over yourself.

when I see 20-12 I have to rub my eyes a little. And I wish Ryan would be more careful running the bases. Bam Bam is going to take so much ribbing for this that he will learn his lesson.He hates not playing .

Somebody should say something nice about Stammen. Really locked the Reds in the closet for two innings. Troubles in the 8th are what happen when you try to play baseball on a pool table. I'm really getting to hat "Great American" park as much as the Citizens Bandbox.

Theo.. yup, Stammen has been critical. Who Knew! Glad to see Craig develop into a specialist role.Agree on the park.. yuk.. I like parks that are neutral and fair, not bandboxes or caverns.And NatsLady, that Axeford note was classic!

From notes on last night's game:Gonzalez gave up a pair of runs and didn't allow a homer in one of the majors' most hitter-friendly ballparks. He hasn't allowed a homer in his last eight starts since Sept. 23, a span of 50 innings that is the longest such streak of his career. It's also the longest active streak in the majors.

Considering the fact that something was not right with Gio last night and at times he struggled in that teeny weeny park – that was almost his most heroic performance. Strassie working out of a jam the night before, Gio bringing it when he was out of gas, Mattheus wriggling out of trouble, Stammen quietly getting it done. We are seeing some of that character that we have heard about.

That note from Axford is a classic – it should go to Cooperstown. I hope bam-bam does not have a concussion, as we've seen the timetable for returning will then become very dicey. A day or two off at this point won't be bad for the kid, but the team is feeding off his energy and needs him back.

Drew.. good one.. No Boppo…M20832.. i am happy for Nick J. Glad to see him get a dinger last night. I am actualy happy for O's fans as well, they have suffered under that owner. Not happy for that owner. Too bad Bud can't force him out like he did with McCourt.

Livo, loading the bases twice and getting out of it, for his first win in relief. Livo–don't you know who your friends are? Would one more walk have hurt ya?Regrettably, I fear Gio just answered the question of what will happen to the rotation when Chien-Ming Wang comes back.

All I have to say is… thank goodness whatever hit Harper above his eye didn't hit him IN his eye… that could have brought his career to a grinding halt… Love the passion, but obviously that was completely stupid (and publically embarrassing) so hopefully he has learned his lesson… and let him ride the pine for 1 day to mull on how close he came to ruining his career…

@Scott: re Infield fly — the batter is out, therefore there is no force play if the ball falls. Once the ball hits the ground, the runners may advance at their risk, but don't have to, because there is no force–the batter is already out. On this particular play, since Zim did catch it in the air, we'll never know what kind of bounce it would have taken. It would be a little unusual for it to get away, but unusual stuff happens every day in baseball. Certainly not unheard of. Again, minor play in this game, but this rule always seems to need clarifications.

No link. I think Gio is hurt. Either some kind of leg strain or wrist or something. He bunted twice w/ two strikes so he either can't hit or doesn't want to get on base. And his beautiful curve pretty much went missing last night. I foresee one more start–hopefully–and then a DL stint.

Nats Lady, are you assuming DL? PLEASE — we've had more than our share of bad news on that front without projecting the worst on what may just have been a precautionary step for the evening. Kentucky of time to agonize about bad news IF and when it comes.

Also, I feel it can't be a serious injury or he wouldn't have pitched yesterday, and just look at those K's! Probably something that rest and treatment will take care of. The chances of the Nats' starting five going from April to August–until Sras shutdown–is practically nil. That's why Rizzo got Ejax and (so far) refuses to trade Lannan.

Yes, Eddie, I think so too. They will not put him on the DL until absolutely necessary, they'll hold him out for a couple of starts and backdate it if he's not ready and CMW is pitching ok. CMW comes up and takes a couple of starts.

TimDZ, thanks for that. Funny that in the video Henry was throwing 100MPH and under control, and recently he appears to have dialed it back (he was throwing 96-98) and is wild. I wonder if he is perhaps one of those guys who just needs to be throwing all-out in order to feel comfortable?At any rate, it's early, and he is definitely developing along with the other guys. Davey appears to be leaving these guys in when they struggle so they can learn to battle through tough innings. Riggleman would have given all of them the hook. Not much development going to happen there.

Section 3, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said… Scott: re Infield fly –I know the rule..i'm sure you've seen bunts, where no infield fly rule is in effect, where th infielder drops the ball on purpose…i wish Zim had missed the ball, purposely or misplay…to see how the reds reacted…could have gotten out of the inning on that play…but i don't think the runners would have moved…brandon phillips had already been thrown out on a dumb play…couldnt see it happening again

Gio – something was clearly wrong with him – not pitching arm related. Someone posted that they saw him wearing a cast on his right hand – not an elbow guard, a cast. Perhaps that's why he couldn't grip the bat? I think whatever it is they are thinking that it is not pitching related and will resolve by his next start. He also did not throw even one of his bugs bunny curves last night. Something going on and being kept very hush hush.

So my eighth-grade student comes in yesterday for her piano lesson sporting a Nats jersey and says breathlessly, "Oh, Miss Rose, I UNDERSTAND, I UNDERSTAND!!!" She can now name everyone on the team, but, of course, is totally in the tank for Bam-Bam (this was before he decided to go 0 for 6 last night–one extra at-bat for his head). Adolescent female crowd will bump the attendance by 10,000.

College aged daughter of a friend – she is a crazy baseball fan — wants to come and visit me this summer. I am so sure I am not the attraction. She wants to see Bryce. He is still so young, Mormon and focused on baseball. I am sure that are some very determined young cleat chasers out there in DC that will be working overtime to try to get his attention. He could prove to be a challenge.

At any rate, it's early, and he is definitely developing along with the other guys. Davey appears to be leaving these guys in when they struggle so they can learn to battle through tough innings. I will admit that I believe Riggleman would yank for Clippard and have him throw 3 innings … but in his defense Johnson doesn't care if the Nats fire him tomorrow. His wife would probably welcome it. Riggleman apparently was constantly worried about job security fostering a bad attitude. Johnson believes firmly in the philosophy of developing from within. He believes himself so good at advanced prospect development that he can win while accomplishing player development goals. So far Johnson has been putting his money where his mouth is. That's pretty rare in baseball. At his core Mike Rizzo believes the same as Johnson its just that he more inclined to use the minors for development, the majors for performance. I think Rizzo may be coming around to the idea that development must continue in the majors as well. But you need the right clubhouse, with a consensus on moving toward development goals as well as winning. Its working. Don't fix it.

Of course he is…. I do think he could have used a game off to slow things down a little. He looked like he was about to explode last night – oh, wait – he did explode. I bet he looks fierce right now. Even before this, I think the old Flintstones kid Bam-Bam nickname suited him. Hope it sticks. He is some intense kid.